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MEMORIAL 

TO THE 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 

FOR THE ERECTION OF A 

National Armory, 

. AT 

BRIGHTON, PJL. 

ON THE 

FALLS OF THE BEAVER RIVER. 


“The original supply of warlike materials with which a nation begins hostilities, can last but 
a little time: and the great care of every wise ruler has been to make his Country independent in 
the means of attack and defence.”—N apoleon. 


Printed by Baer & Myers, corner Fifth & Wood Streets, Pittsburgh. 





























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MEMORIAL 

T O T II 1£ 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 


IOK T II K ERECTION OF A 

National Armory, 


A T 


BRIGHTON, PA. 


tf* 

O N T II t 


FALLS OF THE BEAYER RIVER. 


“ The original supply of warlike materials with which a nation begins hostilities, can last but 
a little time: and the great care of every wise ruler has been to make his Country independent in 
the means of attack and defence.”—N apoleon. 


PITTSBURGH : 

PRINTED BY BARR & MYERS, COR. FIFTH & WOOD STREETS. 

18 6 1 . 


ff-y* <U"'J 



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NATIONAL ARMORY. 


MEMORIAL. 


To the Honorable , the Secretary of War , and Members of the 
Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress of the 
United States. 

Whereas, a new Armory, or Armories, for the manufacture of 
all arms and munitions of war, has become a national necessity, 
and you will feel called upon at your present sitting to take order 
for the establishment of one or more such works: 

We respectfully ask leave to call your attention to the Falls of 
Big Beaver River, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, as a site for, 
and in all respects most admirably suited by nature and art for 
such National Works. As early as the year 1825, this site at¬ 
tracted the attention of our Government for the erection of a 
Western Armory, and was carefully examined and reported upon 
by Cols. M’Rea, Lee and Talcott, Commissioners appointed by 
the War Department, which report is now on file in that office, 
and will show how it was at that day appreciated for such a work ; 
and that upon a careful measurement of the volume of water pas¬ 
sing over the Falls in a dry season of a dry year they found it 
could be counted upon for cubic feet per minute, in the 

lowest stage of water. The property then examined by them can 
yet be had for this purpose, in whole or in part, and in all respects 
much improved. Two substantial dams have since been built 
across the Beaver, by which two falls of more than twenty feet 


/ 


4 NATIONAL ARMORY. 


(20 feet) each may be used, or a fall of forty feet may be taken 
from one and used, if preferred. Canal, lock and races have been 
made upon the property, and all ready for the application of the 
power to machinery at one or both dams, and many erections, 
dwellings* &c., built, and suitable for works and the accommoda¬ 
tion of officers and workmen. Since that time a canal to Erie, Penn¬ 
sylvania, has been made, and one also to Cleveland, Ohio, passing 
into the Beaver, the waters of French Creek and Conneaut Lake, 
Pennsylvania, and of the Cuyahoga and Feeder Lakes of Ohio, and 
thus adding to the volume of water in the Beaver. Since then 
many beds of superior Bituminous Coal and Iron Ore have been 
discovered, opened and worked upon and in the immediate vi¬ 
cinity of this site ; and now the transportation of coal, pig and 
wrought iron, mined and manufactured near to, and north and 
west of it, over the canals and railroads, has assumed large pro¬ 
portions ; much of this coal going to New York City. The coal 
upon and near to this site is proved to be of superior quality for 
smelting iron, for smiths and manufacturing uses, and lies conven¬ 
ient to railroad and canal, and for use in the shops and works. 
Since then we have great and unusual facilities by railroad to all 
points. The navigation of the Ohio River has been much im¬ 
proved, and up which, large amounts of pig iron pass the mouth 
of Beaver, to Pittsburgh. Large amounts of pig iron, Lake Su¬ 
perior copper and iron ore, &c., pass the Falls by railroad and 
canal to Pittsburgh. Coal, from mines on this property, now 
opened, can be had for all uses, of a superior quality, for an Ar¬ 
mory of large and small guns, &c., at less cost per ton, and of at 
least equal quality to any to be had at any other point. Brick 
and fire clays, sand stone, lime stone, and all building materials 
are abundant, and of the best quality, upon this property. Pro¬ 
visions are cheap, and the country remarkably healthy. The 
country near, and north and west, furnishes abundance of superior 
oak, walnut, poplar and cherry lumber, at low prices. Our posi¬ 
tion to Pittsburgh is so distant as to shut out from such works here 
the evils incident to all large cities—and yet so near—being only 
about one hours’ time by rail—as to command for an Armory 
Jtere all the real advantages which belong to it for such a work ? 





NATIONAL ARMORY. 


5 


and to make this point virtually a suburb of that city. Her arti- 
zans and workmen would prefer living here. 

Upon examination you will agree with us, we think, that the 
National Interests will be best advanced by selecting this site for a 
National Armory, where is at command the cheapest water power , 
find steam power also cheaper than elsewhere. 

This we hope you will do, and “we will ever,” &c. 

DANIEL AGNEW, Chairman , 
THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, 
WILLIAM HENRY, 

BENJAMIN WILDE, 

SILAS MERRICK, 

R. P. ROBERTS, 

JOHN ALLISON, 

B. B. CHAMBERLIN, 

A. ROBERTSON, 

JAMES PATTERSON, 

Joint Committee appointed by the County Committee of Safety, and by a general County Meeting, 

Beaver County , Pennsylvania , July 4 th, 1861. 



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NATIONAL ARMORY. 


EXTRACTS 


From the Report made to the Government hy Commissioners , Cols . 

M'Rea and Lee , and Major Talcott , in 1825, a/tar a minute 

examination of many places for a site for a Western National 

Armory. 

“ The description given of the position on Big Beaver, Pa., 
(Brighton,) leaves but little to say on the character of its water 
power. The perfect command of the water at all times; the con¬ 
venient manner of applying it to the wheels, which the fall there 
allows; its entire freedom from interruption by droughts or fresh¬ 
ets, and the security it offers, to the whole establishment of an 
Armory, from the dam to the last workshop, give it decided ad¬ 
vantages in those respects over any other water power that has 
been examined, with the single exception of that of Ohio pile. It 
has a further advantage over Zanesville, viz : economy in first cost, 
and subsequent armorial expenses, and healthfulness of position. 
Comparing it with Ohio pile, it is apparent that the advantages 
which would accrue to the Armory from its position on the Ohio 
river, from its vicinity to, and consequent command of the resour¬ 
ces afforded hy Pittsburgh more than compensate for the addi¬ 
tional cost of its water power.” “It is more than probable that the 
(Beaver) river at Brighton will afford, at its lowest stage, at least 
twice the power that is required for an Armory, without resorting 
to any portion of the fall which is below the level of high water, 
except for the forge.” “To make the power, as it ought to be, 
subservient to the most advantageous arrangement of the work, 
will require the use of at least four steam engines, or water-wheels, 
in all cases.” “The healthfulness of the country around Pitts- 




NATIONAL ARMORY. 


7 


burgh, audits constant command of all the materials and labor that 
are either permanently or occasionally required at an Armory, 
leave no room for any unfavorable anticipations in those respects. 
But its most essential advantages is in its manufacturing establish¬ 
ments, and other resources, which would secure the Government, 
in case of emergency, the means of promptly extending the oper¬ 
ations of an Armory to the production of almost any required 
number of arms; and in all material respects the position of Bea¬ 
ver is considered as commanding the resources of Pittsburgh.” 

The Commissioners appointed in 1841, by Government, again 
to examine and report upon different situations for a site for a 
National Armory, reported in 1842, that the water power, as re¬ 
ported by the previous Board of Commissioners in 1825, was un¬ 
derestimated, “probably 50 per cent, less than the minimum sup¬ 
ply of the river ; in regard to the sufficiency of the power obtained 
—for all purposes to which it is applicable in an Armory, there 
can be no doubt, even were the work extended to the fabrication 
of twenty, or even thirty thousand muskets annually.” 

“The advantages and facilities here presented for trade and in¬ 
tercourse with remote parts of the country, added to the salubrity 
of situation and climate here enjoyed, contribute to render the site 
one of the most desirable places for carrying on business opera¬ 
tions, of almost every variety, anywhere to be met with in the 
valley of the Ohio or Mississippi.” 

EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF 1825. 

“By a comparison of the cost of materials and fuel, in the man- 
facture of the musket, at Springfield, Mass., and the probable 
cost at Beaver, we are satisfied that it may be manufactured at 
Beaver or Pittsburgh for more than fifty cents less than at Spring- 
field, in 1823 ; in which year the musket cost less than at any 
former period.” 

NOTES. 

The comparison of cost of materials and fuel in the manufac¬ 
ture of the musket at Springfield, Mass., and the cost at Beaver, 
will prove at this time much more in favor of Brighton and against 



8 


NATIONAL AllMORY. 


Springfield than it was in 1823 or 1825. Provisions and labor are 
also much lower in Beaver than at Springfield, and so of real 
estate. 

NOTE. 

It will be observed that both Boards of Commissioners based 
their estimates of the power at Brighton upon their minimum esti¬ 
mates of the water in the Beaver. It is well known that for eight 
or nine months every year the water power of the Beaver is at 
least ten times greater than the “minimum.” 


ESTIMATE OE STEAM POWER AS COMPARED WITH WATER 

POWER. 

To show the comparative economy of steam power and water 
power—doing the same work,—we give below some facts of an offi¬ 
cial character, the truth of ^hich cannot be questioned; and 
some calculations and comparisons of the same which will prove 
interesting, and to which no exceptions can be taken. 

The city of Philadelphia is supplied with water by some four 
distinct Water Works, the chief of which are Fairmount Water 
Works, by water power, and the Schuylkill and the Delaware 
Water Works by steam power—anthracite coal being the fuel used. 

The city of Pittsburgh is supplied with water by steam power, 
and so also is the city of Allegheny—their fuel being bituminous 
coal. 

From the published reports made last year by the Superintend¬ 
ents of those Works to their respective city authorities are derived 
the facts as stated ; and from the same some comparisons and es¬ 
timates are made worthy of note. 

At Fairmount Water Works, Philadelphia, 1860, the cost of 
raising 1,000,000 gallons of water one foot high, by waterpower, 
was, not including repairs or interest upon first cost of machinery, 
&c., nine one hundredths of one cent, (009.) 

There was raised in the reservoirs, 95 and 111 feet high, 
3,390,271,757 gallons of water, which yielded the city a revenue 
of two hundred and sixty thousand two hundred and sixty-five 
dollars, ($260,265.) 





NATIONAL AIIMORY. 


9 


The actual current running expenses for raising this water, 
yielding this large revenue, was two thousand nine hundred and 
forty-nine dollars and twenty-seven cents, including pumps, 
($2,949,27,)—being about one ninetieth of the revenue. 

At Pittsburgh City Water Works, steam power , 1860, the cost 
of raising 1,000,000 gallons of water, one foot high, by steam 
power , was at the Lower Works, not including repairs or interest 
upon first cost, six ce7its and three mills, (6 cents and 3 mills.) 

At the “Upper Works” the cost of raising 1,000,000 gallons of 
water one foot high was seven cents and six mills, (7 cents and 6 
mills,) and over . 

Pittsburgh City Water Works, Three Steam Engines, raised 
last year, 1860, 1,360,134,383 gallons of water, at a current run¬ 
ning expense of $18,023,81, and from which the city derived a 
revenue of $71,145,34. The actual current running expense of 
raising the water from which was derived this amount of revenue 
was $17,551,10. About one-fourth the amount of revenue. 

At Allegheny City Water Works, steam power, 1860, the cost 
of raising 1,000,000 gallons of water one foot high was, not in¬ 
cluding repairs or interest on first cost, seven cents and six mills, 
nearly, (7 cents and 6 mills.) 

The “assessment”' of water in this city, for 1860, was $43,796,71. 
The actual current running cost of raising the water $4,309,51— 
being about one-tenth of the “assessment.” 

The actual current running cost of raising the water for Pitts¬ 
burgh and Allegheny cities— Four Steam Engines —about cne- 
half time , was $22,333,32; which at six per cent, per annum is 
the interest upon $372,200. 

The actual current running cost of raising 3,390,271,757 gal¬ 
lons water, by water power, at Fairmount, for 1860, was, includ¬ 
ing pumps, $2,949,27. 

The cost of raising this same amount of water the same heighth, 
say only 105 feet, at the cost of raising 1,000,000 gallons at Pitts¬ 
burgh and Allegheny, by steam power would be $27,054, making 
a difference between the cost of steam and water power in raising 
the same amount of ivater an equal heighth, of $24,105 ; and that 
while the engines were working half the time, or little more ; the 



10 


NATIONAL ARMORY. 


difference in the cost of the same work being the interest, at 6 per 
cent, per annum, upon more than $400,000. 

At Philadelphia Delaware Water Works, steam power, the cost 
of raising 1,000,000 gallons of water one foot high, I860, was, not 
including repairs or interest on first cost, eleven cents and eight 
mills , (11 cents and 8 mills.) 

At Philadelphia Schuylkill Water Works, steam power , the 
cost of raising 1,000,000 gallons of water one foot high, 1860, 
was, not including repairs or interest on first cost, eight cents and 
two-tenths (8 cents and 2 mills.) 

The actual running current expenses of raising 115 feet high, 
2,648,736,620 gallons of water, and which gave a revenue of 
$174,319, was, for 1860, $21,381,40. A little more than one- 
eighth of the revenue. 

The difference being $24,105 in favor of water power at Fair- 
mount, Philadelphia, and against steam power at Pittsburgh, (and 
is much greater between the water power and steam power at Phil¬ 
adelphia, in raising the same amount of water the same distance,) 
and would be an additional cost of two dollars per gun if only 
12,000 guns were made a year, or of one dollar per gun greater 
cost if 24,000 guns a year were made. 

The cost of coal consumed at the “Upper Works” of the Pitts¬ 
burgh Water Works was last year a fraction more than four cents 
per bushel. 

The cost of coal consumed at the Lower Works was for same 
time per bushel four cents 57-100, (4 cents 5.7 mills.) 

The cost of the fuel consumed at the “Allegheny City Water 
Works,” called “slack,” was, in same time, two cents 87-100 per 
bushel. 

The cost of coal to the Government at the Arsenal at Pittsburgh 
is four and three-quarter cents. 

The water power at Fairmount worked night and day. 

The Pittsburgh steam engines worked about twelve and a half 
hours—little more than half time. Allegheny City the same. 

Remark that running water power night and day adds no more 
to the cost than if working half time, while you double the cost by 
so working the steam engines. 



NATIONAL ARMORY. 


11 


Remark, also, that included in the current running expenses of 
$2,949,27, charged to power at • Fail mount, is the attention 
to, and expense of keeping in order, oil for, &c., of the pumps, 
which in an Armory would not occur, and would much reduce 
the simple current running expenses of water power alone. 

NOTE. 

The cost of coal at Brighton would be simply the sum paid the 
miner for digging. The slack or sleek would cost nothing. 

In the Springfie'd Republican , of July 12th last, was a labored 
paper upon the subject of the supply of our Government with arms, 
in which, while admitting that the Armory at that place cannot be 
made to supply the necessary wants of the nation, it argues against 
another National Armory being erected, and that the Armory there 
and private contractors shall be solely relied upon for this necessary 
requirement of Government, and this too while showing that the “re¬ 
bellion found our Arsenals depleted «. f our previous large stock of 
arms, and that whether this war be long or short the Government must 
enlarge its manufactory of arms until it can not only arm its sol¬ 
diers with the best description of arms known to civilization, but 
lay up a large reserve store for such other emergencies in the fu¬ 
ture as that now upon us,” it asks, “how shall the immediate ne¬ 
cessity and the permanent want of arms be supplied,” and an¬ 
swers “by the greatest possible enlargement of the Armory at 
Springfield and by private contractors !” While urging this de¬ 
pendence of our Government for this so great National necessity, 
it goes on to show’ that arms from contractors cost us nearly or 
quite double the cost of such as are made at our Armory; and 
that after the uttermost forcing of the Armory at Springfield it 
could be made to do little if any more that make up for the ordi¬ 
nary loss, w'hile in service, from wear and tear ; leaving us 

entirely dependent upon contractors for arming our people and 
stocking our Arsenals, and this too while showing that contractors 
would mainly have to depend upon foreign manufactories to fill 
their contracts! 

While fully agreeing with the Springfield Republican that our 
Government will realize the imperative necessity of providing for 



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NATIONAL ARMORY. 


the arming of our people and stocking our Arsenals with a much 
larger supply and reserve store than was ever before thought ne¬ 
cessary, and that too whether counting on war or peace, we yet 
cannot agree that our Government will consent to depend upon 
foreign workshops or upon one only Armory in one corner of the 
Republic for this great and most important “want.” We confi- 
dentlv believe that our Government will determine that our arms 
shall be made at home, within our own borders, and keep the large 
expenditure of labor and money necessarily required for this pur¬ 
pose among ourselves, avoiding the risks and dangers of the 
ocean, &c. That in pursuance of this resolve Government will 
direct a Commission of competent, disinterested persons having 
its full confidence to examine and select one or more sites for an 
Armory, or Armories, West of the Allegheny Mountains, where 
arms can in all respects, geographically, economically, in transporta¬ 
tion, safe keeping, &c., be made so as most to conduce to the interests 
of the Government and people ; and there, upon such site or sites, 
erect an Armory, or Armories, sufficient to arm our people and 
store our Arsenals with arms known to our Government to be of the 
best fashion, material and workmanship; and all under the inde¬ 
pendent control and management of Government itself. 

We respectfully urge that the Falls of Beaver, at Brighton, 
Beaver county, Penn’a, presents to Goverment a site for a National 
Armory, which in every respect possesses the properties desirable 
for such a work. It has been twice examined and most favo¬ 
rably reported upon by two Boards of Commissioners appointed 
by the War Department for this purpose ; one of which reported 
in 1825, (see extracts herewith,) that muskets could be made at 
Brighton or Pittsburgh for fifty cents each less than the lowest 
cost any were ever made at the Armory at Springfield. Add 
to this difference the cost of transportation from Springfield to 
Pittsburgh, and it will be largely increased, and would make a 
large sum annually upon all the muskets required—in all time— 
for the West. The labor and all the materials entering into the man¬ 
ufacture of arms are at this site in great abundance at the lowest 
cost. Water power great and constant; every facility for cheap 
and rapid transportation, at least equal to the most favored point. 



NATIONAL ARMORY. 


13 


A very little expense of time and money would enable Govern¬ 
ment to turn out at this site a large supply of arms by simply 
putting into operation the finishing machinery, and giving out by 
contract to the neighboring workshops the parts of a musket to 
be made after patterns furnished them, which are to be finished 
and put together in the Armory. By this means large quantities 
could be turned out, and in the meantime the machinery and 
works could be finished and enlarged as desired. 

All the National Ship Building and Navy Yards, all the Armo¬ 
ries and National Foundries are and have been at the East; all 
the large sums of money expended upon our large Marine service 
and Coast defences are and have been disbursed in the East; and 
we respectfully urge that arms required for use in that part of the 
Republic lying West of the Alleghenies should be made here, 
where they can be made as well and at less cost ; kept safely, dis¬ 
tributed at less cost of time and money, and at less risk ; giving 
employment to our own people and keeping the money in our own 
country—in a w T ord more to the benefit of our Government, and 
more equally distributing the benefits of labor, &c., among our 
people. 


Note. —Attention is respectfully called to the annexed Map, which is as 
accurately drawn, as to distances and positions, as could be done in copying 
from larger Maps without the use of a scale. 





















































